Notes from the Underground - Penn State University

Notes from the Undergroundfrom the very fact that it breaks down all our classifications,and continually shatters every system constructed by loversof mankind for the benefit of mankind. In fact, it upsetseverything. But before I mention this advantage to you, Iwant to compromise myself personally, and therefore I boldlydeclare that all these fine systems, all these theories for explainingto mankind their real normal interests, in order thatinevitably striving to pursue these interests they may at oncebecome good and noble—are, in my opinion, so far, merelogical exercises! Yes, logical exercises. Why, to maintain thistheory of the regeneration of mankind by means of the pursuitof his own advantage is to my mind almost the samething … as to affirm, for instance, following Buckle, thatthrough civilisation mankind becomes softer, and consequentlyless bloodthirsty and less fitted for warfare. Logicallyit does seem to follow from his arguments. But manhas such a predilection for systems and abstract deductionsthat he is ready to distort the truth intentionally, he is readyto deny the evidence of his senses only to justify his logic. Itake this example because it is the most glaring instance of it.Only look about you: blood is being spilt in streams, and inDostoyevskythe merriest way, as though it were champagne. Take thewhole of the nineteenth century in which Buckle lived. TakeNapoleon—the Great and also the present one. Take NorthAmerica—the eternal union. Take the farce of Schleswig-Holstein …. And what is it that civilisation softens in us?The only gain of civilisation for mankind is the greater capacityfor variety of sensations—and absolutely nothing more.And through the development of this many-sidedness manmay come to finding enjoyment in bloodshed. In fact, thishas already happened to him. Have you noticed that it is themost civilised gentlemen who have been the subtlestslaughterers, to whom the Attilas and Stenka Razins couldnot hold a candle, and if they are not so conspicuous as theAttilas and Stenka Razins it is simply because they are sooften met with, are so ordinary and have become so familiarto us. In any case civilisation has made mankind if not moreblood-thirsty, at least more vilely, more loathsomely bloodthirsty.In old days he saw justice in bloodshed and with hisconscience at peace exterminated those he thought proper.Now we do think bloodshed abominable and yet we engagein this abomination, and with more energy than ever. Which21